The Sacred Heart Church in Alexandria, Egypt. Dedicated to St Francis. How the Saint Met Sultan El Saleh
The Sacred Heart Church is connected with the Latin Catholics and the Alexandrians Catholics in general; it’s named after Saint Francis Isyzian.
The church was built in 1924 and it’s famous for its wonderful drawings on glass.
Saint Francis was an italic monk who established the Franciscan, a monastic school that spread globally.
He was born in 1181 AD and died in the year 1226 AD.
The Saint had visited Egypt in the year 1219 and met the Sultan El Saleh King who was pleased with him and admired his fear of God. He permitted him to visit the land without any opposition.
A Look st the Sacred Heart Church
When you enter from the church door you will find an icon of Jesus Christ on the ceiling in the middle. It’s divided into squares and rectangles.
On the sides under the ceiling you will see the story of Jesus Christ life drawn on the glass and divided into many parts; each window has a part.
On the sides under the story of Jesus Christ you can see the story of Saint Francis’ life drawn on the windows starting from the moment of his birth to the moment of his death.
On the right and left sides of the church there are alters.
On the left side there is a preaching tower that has Saint Francis life carved on the wood.
When you reach the front part of the church you’ll find the main alter and behind it the statue of Jesus Christ on the cross and the Miriams standing. Above it there is the statue of Jesus Christ.
On its right is an icon drawn on the window for Saint Clara the establisher of the Franciscan monasticism for girls and on its left there is an icon drawn on the window for Saint Francis
Above all these, there are other icons on the window glass for Jesus Christ, saint Francis and saint Clara.
Moving upwards, there is the picture of angels praising in the sky, and above them a picture for Jesus Christ
Sacred Heart Church in Alexandria, Egypt
Sacred Heart Church: Basic details
Affiliation: Serves Latin Catholics and Alexandrian Catholics.
Dedication: Saint Francis of Assisi (Italic monk, founder of the Franciscans, born 1181 AD, died 1226 AD).
Construction: Built in 1924.
Famous Feature: Exceptional stained-glass windows (“drawings on glass”).
Interior Layout & Artwork (Walking from Entrance to Altar):
Entrance & Central Ceiling:
Above the main door, on the central ceiling, is a large icon of Jesus Christ.
This ceiling area is decorated with hollow squares and rectangles.
Upper Side Walls (Below Ceiling):
Stained-glass windows depicting the Life of Jesus Christ.
The story is divided into many parts, with each window showing a specific scene.
Mid-Level Side Walls (Below Jesus Story):
Stained-glass windows depicting the Life of Saint Francis of Assisi.
The narrative spans from his birth to his death.
Historical Note: One significant event shown is likely his 1219 AD visit to Egypt during the Fifth Crusade. He met Sultan Al-Kamil (referred to as “El Saleh king”), who was impressed by Francis’s piety. The Sultan granted him safe passage (a “firman”) to visit the Holy Land.
Side Altars:
Located on both the right and left sides of the church.
Left Side – Pulpit:
Features a preaching tower (pulpit).
The wooden pulpit is carved with scenes from Saint Francis’s life.
Sanctuary (Front of Church):
Main Altar: Central focus.
Behind the Altar:
A statue of Jesus Christ crucified on the cross.
Statues of the Marys (likely the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene, referred to as “Miriams”) standing near the cross.
Above the Crucifixion Group: A statue of the Risen/Glorified Jesus Christ.
Flanking the Sanctuary:
Right Side: Stained-glass window icon of Saint Clare (founder of the Poor Clares, Franciscan monasticism for women).
Left Side: Stained-glass window icon of Saint Francis.
Upper Sanctuary & Apse:
Above the Statue of Risen Christ & Side Icons: More stained-glass windows depicting Jesus Christ, Saint Francis, and Saint Clara (likely arranged centrally or flanking).
Moving Upwards:
Windows depicting angels praising in heaven.
Highest Point:
A window depicting Jesus Christ (likely Christ in Majesty or Pantocrator).
Key Features Summary:
Stained Glass Narrative: The walls are a visual catechism, telling the stories of Jesus and St. Francis through sequential stained-glass windows.
Historical Connection: Commemorates St. Francis’s peaceful mission to Sultan Al-Kamil in Egypt (1219 AD).
Dedication Focus: Prominent depictions of St. Francis and St. Clare throughout.
Spatial Theology: The artwork ascends from earthly stories (Jesus & Francis) to heavenly glory (Angels, Christ Triumphant), guiding the gaze upwards towards the divine.
Woodcarving: Detailed scenes from Francis’s life adorn the pulpit.
This church is a significant artistic and spiritual tribute to St. Francis of Assisi and the Franciscan tradition, using its magnificent stained glass as the primary means of storytelling and worship.
